Pressing machine



J. P. SNGISER PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 2 6. 1926 Dec. 13, 1927. 1,652,741

J. P. SNGSER PRESSVING MACHINE Filed July 25. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TT() NE V5.

Dec. 13, 1927.

J. P. SINGISER PRESSING MACHINE Filed July26, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VENTO/e JHN .5J/vols ER By 7L ATTO NE ns Dec. 13, 1927.

1,652,741 J. P. SINGISER PaEssING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1926 5 sheets-sheet 4 A TTORNE K5 Dec. 13, 192 7.

J. P. SINGISER PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 2.6, 1926 L2 in 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TTORNE V5.

Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN I. SINGISER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION F OHIO.

PRESSING Application led July 26,

This invention relates to pressing machines ot' the commercial type wherein the pressing members are brought into engagement iii the closed position of the press by hand, power means being subsequently applied to press the article between the memers.

The objects of the invention are to produce such a press of the simplest design involving the fewest parts possible; to incorporate in the design safety features for the protection not only of the operator of the press, but of a bystander as well; to malte the various parts of the, machine adjustable and easily accessible for adjustment; and to attain an ease and speed of operation of the machine, greater than has been heretofore accomplished.

The exact nature of the invention will be readily seen from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the pressing machine embodying my invention, the cover of the switch box having '-J been removed, the press being shown latched in the full open position and the pressure applyingr mechanism in the released position; Fig. 2 is a similar detail showing the pressing machine in the pressure position, parts appearing in section and parts broken away'to show interior construction; Fig. 3 is a detail of the upper portion of the pressing machine showing the latching mechanism for the head in released position; Fig. 4 is a plan of t-he pressing machine with the head unlatched and in the full open position; Fig. 5 is a detailed section in the plane of line 5 of Fig. 3, showing the latching mechanism; Fig. 6 is a detail of a portion of the drive mechanism for the heavy ironing pressure applying mechanism and the control switch, said control switch appearing in section in the plane of line 6 of Figs. 1, 7 and 8; Fig. 7 is a detail section of the control switch in the plane of line 7 of Figs. 1, 6 and S; Fig. 8 is a detail section of the control switch in the plane of line 8 of Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. 9 is a detail section of the control switch in the plane of line 9 of Figs. l, 6 and 8; Fig. 10 is a detail section of the pressing machine showing the power pressuie mechanism taken in the plane of line 10 of Fig. 2; Fig. 1l is a detail section of the brake mechanism in the plane of line 11 of MACHINE.

1926. Serial No. 124,958.

Fig. 2; Fig. 12 is a detail section showing the brake mechanism in the plane of line 12 otl Fig. 2; Fig. 13 is a similar detail in the plane of line 13 ot Fig. 2; Fig. 14 is an electrical diagram showing the control switch iii the position taken when the head is in the full open posit-ion; Fig. 15 isan electrical diagram showing the position of the switch when the switch handle has been pulled out to start rotation of the armature of the motor for applying the ironing pressure; Fig. 16 is an electrical diagram showing the position taken by the control switch when the maximum ironing pressure has been obtained; and Fig. 17 is an electrical diagram showing the position of the control switch when the switch rod has been pushed in for completing the circuit to start the rotation of the armature for releasing the pressure.

The principal parts of the machine are the usual base frame 1 upon which is secured the padded buck 2 adapted for cooperation with the movable ironing member 3 mounted upon the arm 4 which is actuable through mechanism to be described to open l and close the member 3 upon the buck. The

arm 4 is pivotally mounted at the point 5 upon an arm 1a of the frame and is provided with a rearwardly extending portion 4 adapted to be engaged by a pressure bar 6 which is forced upwardly by means of mechanism to be described actuated by the motor 7. The motor 7 is mounted upon a bracket extending from the frame, and t-hrough a lcoupling 8 and gear reduction generally referred to by reference numeral 9 is connected with the shai't 10 to rotate the same at a relatively slow speed. Upon the shaft 10 is mounted a member in which is secured -a crank pin 11; pivotally mounted upon the frame at 12 is a pressure level' 13, to the lower portion of which is pinned the lower member 6a of the pressure bar 6, the upper end of the lever being slotted as illustrated to receive lthe crank pin 11. It will be obvious that by this arrangement rotation of the shaft 10 will result in oscillation of the lever 13 to eiiiect reciprocable motion of the pressure bar. Y

The arm 4 is normally maintained in the open position of the press by springs 14 extending between the rearwardly projecting portion. of the arm 4 and a suitable part of the base as at the point 12; and a latching means to be described is provided for positively maintaining this position.

Upon the arm 1a of the frame is secured a keeper block 15 and pivctally mounted upon the arm 4 at 16 is a hook-shaped latch member 17 adapted, in open position of the press, to engage the keeper 15, to maintain the press open. To a projection on the opposite portion of the latch is secured a rod 18, which extends to a lever 19 secured upon a shaft 20 on which is mounted the handle 21. The rod 18 is urged to the position shown in Fig. 1 by a spring 22 which extends between a member fast on the rod and a web in the arm 4 in the well known manner illustrated.

It will be obvious that upon pulling downward on the handle 21 to close the press the initial result will be to unlatch the arm4 after which the press will be closed by continued movement of the handle as usual.

At the rear extremity of the member 4 is a swivel block 23 bored to receive the smooth upper portion of the push rod 6. Mounted concentrically with the swivel block is a swinging abutment member or cap 24 provided with a downwardly extending arm which is connected by the link 25 with the lower portion of the latch 17 whereby the cap is urged by the spring 22 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and by downward pressure upon the handle 21 to the position shown in Fig. 2. The link 25 is of such length that disengagement of the latch may be effected before Contact of the cap along the pressure bar; and a suitable stop is provided, to limit the movement of the cap when clear of the bar. The pressure bar is of such length, however, as to prevent movement of the cap to the position of Fig. 2 until the press members 3 and 2 are substantially in contact with each other.

The length of the pressure bar is made adjustable by threading the lower portion of the upper member 6 into the lower member 6a of the pressure bar. The member 6a terminates upwardly in a crown 26 provided with peri heral notches in which the-latch 27 pivotal y mounted in a collar 28 fast upon the member 6 is adapted to fit. Adjustment is obviously made by raising the latch to clear the crown, rotating the collar to alter the relative position of the members 6 and 6a, and replacing the latch in an adjacent notch of the crown to maintain the adjustment.

By the arrangement described, release of the handle 21 in any position of the arm 4 other than closed position of the press and with the power applied through the pressure rod 6 will result in immediate return and latching of the pressing member 3 in open position.

The motor is controlled by a switch within the box 29 which consists of an oscillatory member 30 provided with two contacts and controlled by a rack 31 meshing with a pinion segment upon the hub of which the oscillatory member is mounted. Each of the contacts upon the member 30 is adapted in one of the extreme positions of the member, to bridge a gap between two fixed contactors 34 to complete the motor circuit. The rack 31 is connected by a rod 32 with the control handle 33 for movement therewith. Lubrication ot' the switch mechanism' is effected by a longitudinal counter-bore 37 leading to ducts drilled in the member 38 upon which the pinion is mounted.

Upon the rack 31 are two upwardly extending projections 35 between which extends a crank member 36 fast upon the shaft 10, in such a manner that continued rotation of the shaft 10 would cause intermittent reciprocations of the rack.

Pivotally mountedA on the frame at the point 39 is a brake lever 40 upon which are adjustably secured a pair of cams 41 adapted for engagement by a member such as the roller 42 upon the pressure lever 13, as the pressure lever reaches either end of its stroke, to move the brake lever upwards. Pivotally mounted on the brake lever is a secondary lever 43 urged away from the brake lever by the spring 44, relative motion between the brake levers being limited by the adjusting screw 45. Upon the free end of the lever 43 opposite the spring 44 is mounted a brake shoe 46 adapted for engagement with a drum fixed upon the shaft 10; the drum preferably carries the Crank pin 11 as shown. The cams 41 are adjusted to effect application of the brake to stop the lever 13 at each end of its stroke; the brake serving to retain the parts of the press in either of the positions indicated until the brake is released by starting of the motor to rotate the shaft 10.

Operation of the press is as follows: Beginning with the press latched in open position, the switchmechanism being in the posi- -tion shown' in Fig. 14. the operator grasps the handle 21 and pulls downwardly thereon. Initial movement of the handle releases the head which may then be lowered to contactwith the buck. As the pressing member reaches the buck the cap 24 swings upward to abutting position aligned with the pressure bar. Maintaining hold upon the handle 21 the operator then pulls outwardly upon the control handle 33 to move the switch mechanism to the position of Fig. 15 which initiates actuation of the motor, causing rotation of the shaft 10, (preferably in a clock-wise direction) to move the pressure lever 13 from the position of Fig. 1 to the the position shown in Fig. 2 which forces the ironing member 3 with great pressure against the buck 2. As the crank pin approaches the position of Fig. 2 the arm 36 engages one of the projections 35 returning the member and the control handle 33 to neutral position, (Fig. 16) and the brake is applied to maintain the pressing members tightly clamped together.

After sufticient time has elapsed, the operator pushes inwardly upon the control handle to throw the switch to the position shown in Fig. 17, and restart the motor to return the pressure lever to its original position. This moves the pressure rod 6 downwardly to release pressure Vfrom the pressing members, whereupon the spring 22 causes the cap 24 to clear the end of the pressure. rod which allows the spring 14 to return the arm 4 to its original open and latched position. As the pressure lever reaches its original position the arm 36 again moves the member 30 to neutral position, the motor stops and 'the'brake is applied to secure the parts as before.

It will be noted that the operators asp upon the handle 21 must be maintaine until the press is closed and power applied through actuation of the control handle The requirement that the press be closed before power can be applied makes it impossible to .injure anyone between the pressingr lli ` members.

The two hand operation requirement practically eliminates all possibility of injury to the operator.

The purpose of the latch 17 is to hold the upper pressing member or head in wide open position to afford full access to the bed for arranging or changing the lay of a garment thereon, and for the further purpose of easing and speeding up press operation. This latch, however, 1s not always essential and may sometimes be omitted. For example, when the head lever is materially overbalanced with springs or a weight so that it has a strong tendency to move to open position, it might be adjusted to do so and stay in open position without a latch, but, in addition to increasing the labor and effort required to close the press, in the operation of such a press, when the head opens with the additional im ulse from the suit-ably padded bed, it is likely not only to fully open, but to rebound with some oscillating motion before it comes to rest in full open position, thereby slowing up the pressing" operation. Therefore, it is usually preferable to counterbalance the head lever so that it will practically maintain any position in which it may be placed with no tendency to either rise or fall, the inherent friction of the arts being sufficient to counteract any over alancing tendency. For example, springs 14 may be made of such length and may be adjusted with such tension that when the press is released from full pressure position said springs, together with the reacting effect of the compressed padding, supply the necessary energy to move the head to full open position, from which it would drop to a partially closed position, say half way down, were it not for the locking effect of the latch 17, which prevents it from dropping down. Therefore, with the press so latched, the operator closes the press merely by overcoming the light effect ot' the compression spring 22 which resists motion of the handle 21, which he can do with one finger, and when unlatched, the head moves down by its own weight for part of the distance, following which a very slight exertion by the operator completes the hand closing movement. When fully closed continued light pressure of the operators single finger swings the bonnet or cap 24 to its position above pressure bar 6 and the ress may then bel maintained in closed position merely by the light finger pressure required to hold the bonnet in such position, and the operator is not required to overcome directly the effect of springs 14. However, upon release of the handle 21 the bonnet 24 moves out of obstructing position relative to the pressure bar and the head rises by the counterbalancing effect to partly closed position in case ower has not been applied and to full latche open position in case it has. Under special conditions, 'even with the latch, 4the springs 14 may be adjusted to greater tension to fully open the press even though power pressure has not been applied.

With reference to the controlling mechanism it should be noted that the switch mechanism combines in one organization all necessary control features, including all parts actuated by the operator for closing the circuits to produce either of the pressure or release operations, together with means actuated automatically by the mechanism for opening the said circuits to terminate such operations, and with said mechanism has been combined the brake mechanism for definitely terminating the two operations with accurate positioning of the head, particularly in its full pressure position.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, a frame, a stationary garment support, a lever pivoted in the frame and havinw a forwardly extendingl arm carrying a pressing head cooperable for pressing engagement with said garment support and a rearwardly extending arm` and means for effecting pressure of said head u on the garment support, said pressure' e ecting means comprising a pressure bar extending upwardly to the head le ver,'means for reciprocating the same, and means carried by'said lever and adapted for movement thereon to a position to be engaged vby said pressure bar.

2. A garment press, comprising a frame, a garment su port, a press head, a swinging lever pivote in the frame and supporting said ress head, counter-balancing means for said head adapted to normally sustain the head at rest in partially closed position, means for latching the press head in open position, and power means effective upona garment support, a press head, a swinging lever supporting the same, a pressure bar at the rear'of the frame, means 'for reciprocating. the same, means for guiding the upper end of the pressure bar to move in a fixed path with relation to the swinging lever, and means carried yby the lever and movable thereon for coupling the same to said pressure bar for actuation thereby to produce final ressure.

4. garment press, comprising a frame, a garment support, a press head, a lever supporting said head and pivotally mounted in the frame, a pressure bar, operating means therefor, guiding means on the head lever engaging the pressure bar throughoutv the entire range of head movement, and udditlonal means carried by the head lever and movable relative thereto for coupling the bar to the lever to transmit pressure thereto.

5. In a pressingmachine, a trame, a air of relativelymovable pressing mem ers mounted thereon, one of said members being pivotally` mounted for cooperating movement relative to the other of said members and being provided with an arm, a pressure bar guided in said arm, a thrust member mounted upon said arm for movement thereon to a position to be engaged by said pressure bar to force said pressing members together, and means for moving pressure against bar guided in said arm, a cap member pivoted upon said arm for movement thereon to a position abuting the end of said pressure bar` and means for moving said pressure bar to exert pressure against said cap.

7 In a pressing machine, a frame, a pair of' relatively movable pressing members mounted thereon, one of said members being pivotally mounted for cooperating movement relative to the other of said members and being'provided `with an arm a pressure bar guided in said arm, a cap member movable upon said arm transversely of said pressure bar, said pressure bar being of length 'to permit of saidcap movement to abutting position only in closed position of said pressing member, and means for moving said pressure bar longitudinally to exertpressure against said cap when in said abutting position.

8. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pair of pressing members mounted for cooperation thereon, one of said members being movable to close downwardly upon the other of said members and balanced to retreat therefrom and provided with a handle for moving the same, latch means to normally positively maintain the movable member in open position, said handle being in operative connection with said latch means to release the same upon movement of said handle to close said member, an arm movable with the member, a pressure bar guided in said arm, al member movable upon said arm to a position tobe engaged by said pressure bar to force said pressing members together and connected with said handle whereby during press closing handle movement it tends to assume said position, and operating means for said pressure bar.

9. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pair 'of pressing members mounted for cooperation thereon, one. of said members being movable to close upon the other and balanced to-retreat therefrom and provided with a handle for moving the same, latch means to normally positively maintain the movable member in open position, said handle being in operative connection with said latch means to release the same upon movement of said handle to close said memtion thereon, "one of said members beingmovable to close upon the other of said members and balanced to retreatI therefrom and provided with a handle for moving the same,

latch means to normally positively maintain the movable member in open position, said handle being in. operative connection with said latch means to release the same upon initial movement of said handle to close said member, an arm movable with said member, a pressure bar guidedin said arm, a cap member movable upon said arm and connected with said handle whereby during said press closing handle movement said member is yieldably urged laterally against said pressure bar, and in closed position of said pressingmembers to a position abutting the lll) end of said pressure bar, and means for moving said pressure bar to exert pressure against said cap member.

11. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pair of pressing members mounted for cooperation thereon, one of said members being movable to close upon the other of said members and balanced to retreat therefrom and provided with a handle, latch means to normally positively maintain the movable member in open position, said handle being in operative connection with said latch means to release the same upon movement of said handle to close said member, an arm movable with said member, a pressure bar guided in said arm, a cap member mounted upon said arm for movement thereon in said closed position of said pressing member to a osition abutting the end of said pressure ar, a connection between said handle and said cap member whereby said cap member is urged toward said abutting position by pressure upon said handle to close said pressing member, and means for movingl said pressure bar to exert pressure against said cap member.

12. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pair of pressing members mounted for cooperation thereon, one-of said members being movable to close upon the other of said members and balanced to retreat therefrom and provided with latch means to normally positlvely maintain its open position, a handle in operative connection with said latch means to release the same upon movement of said handle to close said member, an .arm movable with said member, a ressure bar guided in said arm, a cap mem r mounted upon said arm for movement thereon to a position abutting the end of said pressure bar, a connection between said handle and said cap member whereby said cap member is urged toward said abutting position by pressure upon said handle to close said pressing member, said pressure bar being of length to permit of said movement only in said closed position of said pressing member, and means for moving said pressure bar to exert pressure against said cap member.

13. In a pressing machine, a frame, a air of relatively movable pressing mem ers mounted thereon, means for closin one of said members upon the other of said members, means for effecting pressure of one of said members upon the other, said pressure cect-ing means comprising a pressure bar, means for reciprocating the same, and a cap carried by one of said pressing members and adapted in the closed position of said members for movement upon the movable member into the ath of said pressure bar to be engaged by t same, said pressure bar bcing of such length as to obstruct said movement of said cap pending said closing of said pressing members.

14. In a pressing machine, a frame, a air of relatively movable pressing mem ers mounted thereon, means for closing one of said members upon the other, means for effecting pressure of one of said members against the other, said means comprising an element rotatable in said frame, a reciprocatory member actuable by a crank member of said rotatable element, a connection between said reciprocatory member and one of said pressing members whereby pressure and release of said pressing member are eii'ected by corresponding successive strokes of said reciprocatory member, means for actuating said rotatable element to effect a stroke of said reciprocatory member, brake means for positioning said reciprocatory member at the end of the stroke, said brake means comprising a shoe adapted for frictional engagement with a surface on said rotatable element, a brake member carrying said shoe, and corresponding members on said brake member and said reciprocatory member ada ted for. cooperation as the end of said stro te is approached to apply said shoe to said surface. i

15. In a pressing machine, a frame, a air of relatively movable pressing mem ers mounted thereon, means for closing one of said members upon the other, means for effecting pressure of one of said members against the other, said means comprising an element rotatable in said frame, a reciprocatory member actuable by a crank member of said rotatable element, a connection between said reciprocatory member and one of said pressing members whereby pressure and release of said pressing member are effected by corresponding successive strokes of said reciprocatory member, means for actuating said rotatable element to eii'ect a stroke of said reciprocatory member, brake means for positioning said reciprocatory member at the end of the stroke, said brake means comprising a shoe adapted for frictional engagement with a surface on said rotatable element, a brake member carrying said shoe, a spring in operative connection between said shoe and said brake member, and cam and wiper members on said brake member and said reciprocatory members respectively, adapted for cooperation as the end of said stroke is approached to move said reciprocatory member and thereby through said spring urge said shoe against said surface.

16. In a. pressing machine, a frame, a pair of relatively movable pressing members mounted thereon, means for closing one of said members upon the other, means for effecting pressure of one of said members against the other, said pressure effecting means including a recriproeatory member catory member to one of said pressing members, a controller for said motor including a switch member adapted for rocking movement to complete said motor c-ircuit, a push rod, a rack on said rod cooperating with a pinion on said switch, manually operable means for moving said push rod to start said motor, a pair of projections upon said rod, and a projection upon said rotary mem: ber adapted to engage one of said projections upon said rod as said reciprocatory member completes a stroke to eifect stopping of said motor at the end of said stroke.

` 17. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pair of pressing members mounted for cooperation thereon, one of said members being movable to close upon Vthe other of said members and balanced to retreat therefrom and provided with a handle, an arm movable with said member, a pressure bar guided in said arm, a cap member mounted upon said arm for movement thereon in said Closed position of said pressing member to a position abuting the end of said pressure bar, a connection between said handle and said cap member whereby said cap member is urged toward said abutting position by pressure upon said handle to close said pressing member, and means for moving said pressure bar to exert pressure against said cap member.

18. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pail` of pressing members mounted for coperation thereon, one of said members being movable to close upon the other of said members and balanced to retreat therefrom and provided with a handle, an arm movable with said member, a pressure bar guided 1n said arm, a cap member mounted upon said arm for movement thereon in said closed position of said pressing member to a position abutting the end of said pressure bar, a Connection between said handle and said cap member whereby said cap member is urged toward said abutting position by pressure upon said handle to close said pressing member, means for moving, said pressure bar to exert pressure against said cap member, and a control handle for said pressure bar moving means.

19. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pair of pressing members mounted for cooperation thereon, one of said members being movable to close upon the other of said members and balanced to retreat therefrom and provided with a handle, latch means to normally positively maintain the movable member in open position, said handle being in operative connection with said latch means to release the same upon movement of said handle to close said member, an arm movable with said member, a pressure bar guided in said arm, a cap member mounted upon said arm for movement thereon in said closed position of said pressing member to a position abutting the end of said pressure bar, a connection between said handle and said cap member whereby said cap member is urged toward said labutting position by pressure upon said handle to close said pressing member, means for moving said pressure bar to exert pressure against said cap member, and a control handle lfor said pressure bar moving means.

20. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pair of pressing members mounted for cooperation thereon, one of said members being movable to close upon the other of said members and balanced to retreat therefromand provided with latch means to normally positively maintain its open position, a handle in operative connectlon with said latch means to release the same upon movement of said handle to close said member, an arm movable with said member, a pressure bar guided in said arm, a cap member mounted upon said arm for movement thereon to aposition abutting the end of said pressure bar, a connection between said handle and said cap member whereby said cap member is urged toward said abutting position by pressure upon said handleto close said pressing member, said pressure bar being of length to permit of said movement only in said closed position of said pressing member, means for moving said pressure bar to exert pressure against said cap member, and a control handle for said pressure bar moving means. 4

In testimony whereof, I hereby alhx my signature.

JOHN P. SINGISER. 

